Little Coop (A Twin Peaks Fanfic)

Earned Respect

I guess being the daughter of an FBI agent made me kinda popular, because at lunch, I sat with Zach. Jessica and a couple other kids in our grade decided to make friends with me.

"You remember me from homeroom, Jessica Shay?"

"Yeah."

"Can me, Duncan, and Tasha sit with you guys?"

"Sure," me and Zach said.

They sat with us and ate our lunch.

"Where did you say you were from again?" Jessica asked.

"Pennsylvania."

"Have you ever had a philly cheesesteak?" Duncan asked.

"Yeah...and they're heavenly."

Duncan was a black kid who sounded like he was born down South.

"I would love to try one, I wonder if the diner has em," Tasha said.

Tasha was kinda small for a nine year old, she was skinny although she loves eating.

"Ask Shelly, she knows it more than we all do, you know...the menu of the place," Zach said.

"I don't know when me and my daddy will eat there again since there's a dining area in the hotel we're staying," I said.

"Oh, I almost forgot! You know what I learned about her?" Jessica asked.

"Let me tell them Jess, Daddy's an FBI agent, the whole reason we came here is so he can investigate the Palmers."

"Oh. You have no idea how long you'll be here?" Duncan said.

"Days...weeks...months...maybe a year or more."

"Woah, I never thought it would take a long time to solve a case, you know, I watch a lot of detective shows," Tasha said.

"It'll be quick, I got a feeling your dad's the real deal, he's a 'special' agent, when we were in the lobby talking with him, I could tell he knows how to get things done, kinda like The Godfather," Zach said.

"Is he scary?" Tasha asked.

"Just because he works for the FBI or anything that has to do with law enforcement doesn't mean he's corrupt or evil. I know him as a loving and goofy guy," I said.

"Glad he's nice."

I'm glad I made friends on the first day.

Daddy thought it would be a good idea to pick me up on the first day of school. Going through the parent pick up process was kind of a hassle but I got through it. I got in the passenger side of the car.

"Hi Daddy!"

He hugged me.

"How was your first day of school?"

"It was great!"

I put my seatbelt on and we left school.

"So...what happened, did you make friends?"

"Yeah, four of em at lunch, as a matter of fact, I'm the talk of my grade."

"Oooo, little miss popular."

We chuckled

"I made a good impression on them like you made a good impression on Zach."

"What's that supposed to mean?...Cori?"

"I'm thinking that they only like me because Zach told them you're an FBI agent. Daddy I love you so much, I have nothing against you, but the idea of my classmates, teachers, the principal like me because of you is...what's the word..."

"Shallow?"

"Yeah."

"I know how you feel Cori, I was a kid too, I've encountered crappy and shallow kids in school, even kids who were crapped and shallowed on. Reps don't matter to me, I grew up in a time where people were treated like crap because they were different, the color of their skin, who they were attracted to, what their religion was, etc. My advice to you: respect people only if they respect you, it's earned, not given no questions asked. Got it?"

"Got it. I want people to like me for me, if they don't, the hell with em."

"First of all, watch your language, second...good point."

He smirked, then formed a big smile.

"It's ok to be proud that you have a father who you admire and works for a major law enforcement but people should like you for you, not for me."

"Never been prouder Daddy."

We held hands until we got to the hotel.